Shaft mounting assembly

ABSTRACT

A wedge-type bearing assembly includes a split cylindrical adapter sleeve for wrapping around a shaft. The sleeve has a radially outwardly facing tapered surface. An inner ring encircles the adapter sleeve and has a radially inwardly facing surface engaging the tapered surface of the adapter sleeve. In one embodiment, a visual indicator fixed to a lock nut connecting the adapter sleeve and inner ring indicates when the adapter sleeve is sufficiently tightened onto the shaft. In another embodiment, a positive locking key prevents rotation of the inner ring relative to the adapter sleeve.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/414,817 entitled “Wedge-Type Bearing Assembly”filed on May 1, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in its entirety herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of invention is bearings, and more particularly, to a shaftmounted wedge-type bearing assembly.

It is generally known to mount bearing assemblies on a shaft through theuse of set screws or eccentric collars which lock the inner ring of thebearing assembly to the shaft. In such designs, the inner ring of thebearing assembly extends longitudinally along the shaft and isincorporated in the mechanisms for sealing the inner ring against theshaft and for locking the bearing assembly on the shaft.

It is also known to provide a bearing assembly with an inner ring whichhas extending therethrough a tapered bore and which loosely surroundsthe shaft. Such bearing assembly designs also include a cylindricalwedge or tapered mounting adapter sleeve that is also placed over theshaft. The sleeve has therein a longitudinally extending slit whichallows the sleeve to be placed over the shaft but affords compression orsqueezing the sleeve into frictional engagement with the shaft. Thesleeve is typically pulled into engagement with the tapered bore in theinner ring of the bearing assembly by a lock nut axially fixed relativeto the sleeve and threadably engaging the inner ring. Rotation of thenut around the sleeve draws the inner ring over the sleeve to produce athe wedge-like engagement between the tapered sleeve and the taperedbore. The wedge-like engagement creates an interference fit between thesleeve and the inner ring and compresses the sleeve into lockedengagement with the shaft. The locked engagement between the inner ringand the sleeve, and between the sleeve and the shaft thereby fixes theinner ring relative to the shaft.

The use of a tapered sleeve in conjunction with a tapered inner ring tomount a bearing assembly on a shaft is advantageous in that this type ofbearing assembly mounting accommodates shafts which may have acircumference differing from a nominal specified circumference. Thesewedge-type bearing assemblies, however, are difficult to mount on ashaft because the inner ring tends to rotate with the nut without movingthe inner ring axially relative to the sleeve, the tightness of the nutis not easily determined which leads to over or under tightening, andaxially fixing the nut relative to the sleeve is difficult. Therefore, aneed exists for a shaft mounted wedge-type bearing assembly thatovercomes one or more of these problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wedge-type bearing assembly that solvesall of these problems. The bearing assembly includes a split cylindricaladapter sleeve for wrapping around a shaft. The sleeve has a radiallyoutwardly facing tapered surface. An inner ring encircles the adaptersleeve and has a radially inwardly facing surface engaging the taperedsurface of the adapter sleeve.

One objective of the present application is to provide a shaft mountedbearing assembly which prevents the inner ring from rotatingindependently from the sleeve frictionally engaging the shaft. In oneembodiment, the bearing assembly accomplishes this objective byproviding a positive locking key that rotatively fixes the inner ringrelative to the sleeve to prevent the inner ring from rotatingindependently of the sleeve.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a shaft mountedbearing assembly with which a user can easily determine when the adaptersleeve is sufficiently tightened on the shaft. In another embodiment,the bearing assembly accomplishes this objective by providing a visualindicator to indicate when the adapter sleeve is sufficiently tightenedonto the shaft.

The foregoing and other objectives and advantages of the invention willappear from the following description. In the description, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichthere is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of a shaft mounted bearing assembly incorporatingthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of an alternative shaft mounted bearing assemblyincorporating the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of FIG. 5 showing a dismounting hole; and

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of another alternative shaft mountedbearing assembly incorporating the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a wedge-type bearing assembly 10 is mounted on ashaft 12 having a longitudinal axis 14. The bearing assembly 10 includesan adapter sleeve 16 frictionally engaging the shaft 12, an inner ring18 compressing the adapter sleeve 16 against the shaft 12, and a locknut assembly including a lock nut 20 axially fixed relative to theadapter sleeve 16 and engaging the inner ring 18. Rotation of the locknut 20 in a first direction of rotation draws the inner ring 18 over theadapter sleeve 16 to mount the bearing assembly 10 to the shaft 12.Rotation of the lock nut 20 in a second opposite direction of rotationpushes the inner ring 18 off of the adapter sleeve 16 to dismount thebearing assembly 10 from the shaft 12.

The cylindrical adapter sleeve 16 extends along the axis 14 of the shaft12 between adapter sleeve first and second ends 22, 24, and has aradially inwardly facing surface 26 and a radially outwardly facingsurface 28. The radially inwardly facing surface 26 defines a uniformcylindrical bore which engages the outer surface 30 of the shaft 12. Alongitudinal slit (not shown) having slit edges extends the entire axiallength of the sleeve 16. The slit edges define a gap therebetween whenthe sleeve 16 is undeformed (i.e. not compressed by the inner ring 18)which is narrowed as the adapter sleeve 16 is radially compressed by theinner ring 18. The sleeve 16 is sized to slide over the shaft 12 whenthe sleeve 16 is undeformed, and the provision of the slit along thesleeve 16 affords compression of the sleeve 16 into locked frictionalengagement with the shaft 12 in a manner discussed below.

The radially outwardly facing surface 28 of the sleeve 16 includes atapered surface 40 engageable with the inner ring 18 and a radiallyoutwardly extending circumferential key 42 engageable with the lock nut20. The tapered surface 40 extends from the first end 22 of the sleeve16 toward the second, opposite end 24 of the sleeve 16, and isfrustoconical with a first relatively small diameter proximal the firstend 22 of the sleeve 16. The diameter of the tapered surface 40uniformly increases toward the sleeve second end 24. Various angles oftaper, such as between about 3° to 4°, can be used.

The radially outwardly extending circumferential key 42 extends from theradially outwardly facing surface 28 proximal the second end 24 of theadapter sleeve 16. The key 42 rotatably slidably engages the lock nut 20to axially fix the lock nut 20 relative to the adapter sleeve 16 whileallowing the lock nut 20 to rotate relative to the adapter sleeve 16.

A positive locking key 54 extending radially from the radially outwardlyextending facing surface 28 is received in an axially extending keyway56 formed in the inner ring 18. Advantageously, the positive locking key54 received in the axially extending keyway 56 prevents rotation of theinner ring 18 relative to the adapter sleeve 16 while allowing the innerring 18 to slide axially relative to adapter sleeve 16. Preferably, thepositive locking key 54 is a removable Woodruff key received in aconcave rounded slot 62 formed in the adapter sleeve 16 to simplifyassembly of the bearing assembly 10. However, the positive locking key54 can have any shape and/or be formed as an integral part of theadapter sleeve 16 without departing from the scope of the invention.Moreover, the positive locking key 54 can extend from the inner ring 18into a keyway formed in the adapter sleeve without departing from thescope of the invention.

The inner ring 18 of the bearing assembly 10 is configured to mate withthe sleeve 16 so that the bearing assembly 10 can be fixed to the shaft12. The generally annular inner ring 18 encircles the adapter sleeve 16and shaft 12, and has an axis substantially coaxial with the shaft axis14. The inner ring 18 includes a radially outwardly facing surface 44and a radially inwardly facing surface 46 joined by axially opposinginner ring first and second ends 48, 50. The radially outwardly facingsurface 44 provides a bearing surface for rollers 52.

The radially inwardly facing surface 26 of the inner ring 18 has a firstdiameter at the first axial end 48 of the inner ring 18 and a seconddiameter proximal the second axial end 50. The first diameter is smallerthan the second diameter to form a tapered bore extending through theinner ring 18 between the axial ends 48, 50 of the inner ring 18.External threads 58 formed proximal the second axial end 50 in theradially outwardly facing surface 44 engage internal threads 60 formedin the lock nut 20 to draw the inner ring 18 over the adapter sleeve 16.Preferably, the radially inwardly facing surface 46 of the inner ring 18lies at an angle relative to the axis 14 which approximates the angle ofthe tapered surface 40 of the sleeve 16. When the inner ring 18 is drawnover the adapter sleeve 16, the tapered surface 40 of the sleeve 16slides along and engages the radially inwardly facing surface 46 of theinner ring 18 to compress the adapter sleeve 16 against the shaft 12.

The axially extending keyway 56 formed in the radially inwardly facingsurface 46 receives the positive locking key 54 extending radially fromthe radially outwardly facing surface 28 of the sleeve 16.Advantageously, the positive locking key 54 received in the axiallyextending keyway 56 prevents the sleeve 16 from rotating while allowingthe sleeve 16 to move axially relative to the inner ring 18. Of course,the keyway 56 can be formed in the adapter sleeve 16 for receiving apositive locking key 54 extending from the inner ring 18 withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

The cylindrical lock nut 20 of the lock nut assembly encircles theadapter sleeve 16 and engages both the adapter sleeve 16 and inner ring18 to move the inner ring 18 relative to the adapter sleeve 16 in anaxial direction. The lock nut 20 includes a radially inwardly facingsurface 66 and a radially outwardly facing surface 68, both of whichextend between first and second lock nut ends 70, 72. The internalthreads 60 formed in the radially inwardly facing surface 66 proximalthe lock nut first end 70 threadably engage the external threads 58formed in the radially outwardly facing surface 44 of the inner ring 18.

The radially outwardly facing surface 68 of the lock nut 20 includesdetents 74 The detents 74 are spaced circumferentially on the radiallyoutwardly facing surface 68 of the lock nut 20 proximal the lock nutsecond end 72, and are engageable with a wrench to rotate the lock nut20 relative to the inner ring 18 and adapter sleeve 16. Rotating thelock nut 20 relative to the inner ring 18 threadably engages theexternal threads 58 formed in the inner ring 18 with the internalthreads 60 formed in the lock nut 20 to axially move the inner ring 18relative to the adapter sleeve 16 in either axial direction.

A radially inwardly opening circumferential keyway 76 proximal thesecond end 72 of the lock nut 20 adjacent the internal threads 60engages the circumferential key 42 of the adapter sleeve 16 to axiallyfix the lock nut 20 relative to the adapter sleeve 16. Advantageously,the keyway 76 fixes the lock nut 20 axially relative to the adaptersleeve 16 while allowing the lock nut 20 to rotate and threadably engageexternal threads 58 of the inner ring 18 with the internal threads 60 ofthe lock nut 20. Although an inwardly opening keyway 76 is disclosed,other structure that fixes the lock nut axially relative to the adaptersleeve 16 while allowing the lock nut 20 to rotate about the adaptersleeve 16 can be provided, such as a radially inwardly extending key ofthe lock nut 20 that engages a radially outwardly opening keyway formedin the adapter sleeve 16, and the like, without departing from the scopeof the invention.

An axially opening cavity 94 formed in an axially facing face 78 of thesecond end 72 of the lock nut 20 proximal the radially inwardly facingsurface 66 receives a visual indicator 80 that indicates when the locknut 20 has been sufficiently tightened to frictionally lock the bearingassembly 10 to the shaft 12. Although forming the cavity 94 in theaxially facing face 78 is preferred, the cavity 94 can be formedanywhere on the lock nut 20 that experiences the strain on the lock nut20 caused by tightening the lock nut 20 to frictionally lock the bearingassembly 10 to the shaft 12 without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Preferably, the visual indicator 80 is formed from a photoelasticsensitive material 82, such as Vishay Micro Measurements Model No. PS-1Sheet available from Vishay Micro Measurements, Raleigh, N.C., whichwhen subjected to strain changes color when viewed through a polarizinglens 84. The visual indicator 80 is fixed to the lock nut 20 in thecavity 94 by an adhesive, such as an epoxy resin, rubber-based adhesive,and the like, which has elastic properties substantially equivalent tothe photoelastic sensitive material 82 in order to transfer the strainon the lock nut 20 to the photoelastic sensitive material 82 withoutlosing sensitivity. Although fixing the visual indicator 80 in thecavity 94 formed in the lock nut 20 is preferred to protect the visualindicator 80 from being dislodged from the lock nut 20, the visualindicator 80 can be fixed to any surface on the lock nut 20 withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

The strain acting on the photoelastic sensitive material 82 changes thewavelength of light allowed to pass through the photoelastic sensitivematerial 82 and reflect back to the user causing the photoelasticsensitive material 82 to appear to change in color when viewed throughthe polarizing lens 84. The specific color viewable through thepolarizing lens 84 is a function of the amount of strain experienced bythe photoelastic sensitive material 82. The strain experienced by thephotoelastic sensitive material 82 is a function of the load appliedbetween the adapter sleeve 16 and the inner ring 18 by the lock nut 20.The load applied between the adapter sleeve 16 and the inner ring 18frictionally locking the bearing assembly 10 to the shaft is a functionof the torque necessary to turn the lock nut 20. As a result, the amountof torque applied to the lock nut 20 can be determined by viewing thecolor of the photoelastic sensitive material 82 through the polarizinglens 84.

Preferably, the polarizing lens 84 is a light polarizing film, such asavailable from Edmund Optics, Inc., Barrington, N.J., bonded to an outersurface of the photoelastic sensitive material 82. Of course, thepolarizing lens 84 can be omitted and the user can provide a polarizinglens for viewing the photoelastic sensitive material 82 withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

A pair of radially extending threaded through holes 86 formed throughthe lock nut 20 threadably engage set screws 88 to rotatively fix thelock nut 20 relative to the adapter sleeve 16 once the lock nut 20 issufficiently tightened to lock the adapter sleeve 16 onto the shaft 12.The threaded through holes 86 extend radially from the radially inwardlyopening circumferential keyway 76 and align the set screws 88 with thecircumferential key 42 extending from the adapter sleeve 16. Although apair of threaded through holes circumferentially spaced at an angle ofapproximately 90° is shown, one or more through holes spaced randomly orevenly about the circumference of the lock nut 20 can be provided forreceiving one or more set screws 88 without departing from the scope ofthe invention. Moreover, although the through holes 86 are shown toextend substantially perpendicular to the keyway 76 and key 42, thethrough holes 86 can define any angle relative to the keyway 76 and/orkey 42 without departing from the scope of the invention.

Each set screw 88 threadably engages one of the threaded through holes86, and is rotated to impinge on the circumferential key 42 to lock thelock nut 20 relative to the adapter sleeve 16. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 1-3, each through hole 86 receives one of the set screws 88.However, more through holes 86 can be provided than the number setscrews 88 without departing from the scope of the invention.

The bearing assembly 10 further includes an outer ring 64 radiallyspaced from the inner ring 18 to sandwich the plurality of rollers 52therebetween. The rollers 52 allow the rings 18, 64 to move relative toeach other. The term “roller” used herein can be any roller used in theart, such as ball bearings, cylindrical rollers, tapered rollers, andthe like, that allow relative movement of the inner and outer rings 18,64. A retainer ring (not shown) can be provided to space the rollers 52between the inner and outer rings 18, 64.

Seal rings 90 extending between the inner and outer rings 18, 64 onopposing sides of the rollers 52 seal lubricant around the rollers 52. Aseal mounting ring 92 fixed to one of the seal rings 90 threadablyengaging the outer ring 64 can be provided to mount the seal ring 90 tothe bearing assembly 10. A housing (not shown) can also be provided thatsurrounds the inner ring 18 and rollers 52 and is fixed relative to theouter ring 64 without departing from the scope of the invention.

In use, the bearing assembly 10 is mounted on the shaft 12 bycompressing the adapter sleeve 16 to engage the lock nut keyway 76 withthe circumferential key 42 of the adapter sleeve 16. The adapter sleeve16 and lock nut 20 are then slipped axially onto the shaft 12. The innerring 18, along with the rollers 52 and outer ring 64 are then slippedaxially onto the shaft 12, such that the radially inwardly facingsurface 26 of the inner ring 18 forming the tapered bore mates with thetapered surface 40 of the radially outwardly facing surface 28 of theadapter sleeve 16. The inner ring 18 is slipped axially along theadapter sleeve 16 until the external threads 58 of the inner ring 18threadably engage the internal threads 60 of the lock nut 20.

The positive locking key 54 of the adapter sleeve 16 is then slippedinto the axial keyway 56 of the inner ring 18, and the inner ring 18 isurged axially over the adapter sleeve 16, such as by the user pushingthe inner ring 18 over the adapter sleeve 16 by hand, to initiallycompress the adapter sleeve 16 and frictionally engage the shaft 12 toprevent the inner ring 18 from rotating relative to the adapter sleeve16. The lock nut 20 is then rotated in the first direction to threadablyengage the internal threads 60 of the lock nut 20 with the externalthreads 58 of the inner ring 18 to draw the inner ring 18 over theadapter sleeve 16 toward the lock nut 20. As the tapered surface 40 ofthe adapter sleeve 16 and the tapered bore of the inner ring 18 becomewedged together, the sleeve 16 compresses and the gap 38 defined by theslit edges 34, 36 narrows as the sleeve 16 frictionally engages theshaft 12. The lock nut 20 is rotated until a sufficient amount of torqueis applied to the lock nut 20 to lock the adapter sleeve 16, and thusthe bearing assembly 10, onto the shaft 12. Advantageously, the visualindicator 80 mounted on the lock nut 20 turns color to indicate to theuser when the sufficient amount of torque has been applied to the locknut 20 to avoid over tightening or under tightening the lock nut 20.

Once the lock nut 20 is sufficiently tightened, as indicated by thevisual indicator 80, the lock nut 20 is locked in place relative to theadapter sleeve 16 by rotating the pair of set screws 88 threadablyengaging the radially the extending threaded through holes 86 formedthrough the lock nut 20. The set screws 88 are tightened against thecircumferential key 42 of the adapter sleeve 16 to fix the lock nut 20relative to the adapter sleeve 16 and prevent rotation of the lock nut20 relative to the adapter sleeve 16 that would allow the inner ring 18to move axially relative to the adapter sleeve 16 and disengage theadapter sleeve 16, and thus the bearing assembly 10, from the shaft 12.

The bearing assembly 10 is dismounted from the shaft 12 by rotating thelock nut 20 in the second direction opposite to the first direction ofrotation. Rotating the lock nut 20 in the second direction urges theinner ring 18 axially off of the adapter sleeve 16 to unwedge thetapered surface 40 of the adapter sleeve 16 and the tapered bore of theinner ring 18. As the inner ring 18 is urged axially off of the adaptersleeve 16, the adapter sleeve 16 expands to release its grip on theshaft 12.

In an alternative construction shown in FIGS. 4-7, the bearing assembly110 includes an axially slit adapter sleeve 116 compressed onto a shaft112 by an inner ring 118 urged over the adapter sleeve 116 by a lock nutassembly including an unthreaded lock nut 120. The inner ring 118 has aradially inwardly facing surface 146 including a tapered bore, such asdescribed above. The tapered bore of the inner ring 118 slidably engagesthe adapter sleeve 116 to compress the adapter sleeve 116 against theshaft 112. In this embodiment, an outwardly facing surface 128 of theadapter sleeve 116 includes a radially outwardly opening circumferentialkeyway 176 which receives a radially inwardly extending key 142 formingpart of the lock nut assembly.

In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 4-6, the lock nut assembly includesthe lock nut 120 surrounding the adapter sleeve 116, a lock nut adapter158 fixed to the inner ring 118, a locking set screw 188, and aplurality of mounting set screws 186. The lock nut 120 is axially fixedrelative to the adapter sleeve 116 by the locking set screw 188, and themounting set screws 186 extending axially through the lock nut 120threadably engage the lock nut adapter 158 to draw the inner ring 118onto the adapter sleeve 116.

The lock nut adapter 158 surrounds the inner ring 118 and includes aradially extending threaded aperture 102 formed therethrough. Thethreaded aperture 102 threadably engages a radially extending lockingset screw 104 which impinges on the inner ring 118 to axially fix thelock nut adapter 158 relative to the inner ring 118. Advantageously, thelocking set screw 104 allows removal of the lock nut adapter 158 or easyretrofitting of the lock nut adapter 158 onto an inner ring. Othermethods for axially fixing the lock nut adapter 158 relative to theinner ring 118 can be used, such as by inserting an axially extendingpin through a radially extending aperture formed through the lock nutadapter 158 into a hole formed in the inner ring 18, welding the locknut adapter 158 to the inner ring 18, and the like, without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

Three axially extending semi-circular threaded holes 190 are formed inthe lock nut adapter 158 for threadably engaging the mounting set screws186. The semi-circular threaded holes 190 are evenly spaced about theouter diameter of the lock nut adapter 158 and threadably engage themounting set screws 186 to draw the inner ring 18 over the adaptersleeve 116. Although three evenly spaced semi-circular threaded holes190 are preferred, any number of semi-circular threaded holes 190 can beused without departing from the scope of the invention.

The lock nut 120 is axially fixed relative to the adapter sleeve 116,and includes a radially inward portion 192 and a radially outwardportion 194. The radially inward portion 192 has an axial length lessthan the radially outward portion 194 which extends over a portion ofthe lock nut adapter 158 fixed to the inner ring 18. The radiallyinwardly extending key 142 extends radially inwardly into the radiallyoutwardly opening circumferential keyway 176 from the radially inwardportion 192 of the lock nut 120 to axially fix the lock nut 120 relativeto the adapter sleeve 116. Advantageously, the inwardly extending key142 received in the outwardly opening keyway 176 axially fixes the locknut 120 relative to the adapter sleeve 116 while allowing the lock nut120 to revolve around the adapter sleeve 116 to align mounting holes 196formed in the lock nut 120 with the semi-circular threaded holes 190formed in the lock nut adapter 158.

The three circumferentially spaced, axially extending mounting holes 196are formed through the radially inward portion 192 of the lock nut 120and in a radially inwardly facing surface 198 of the radially outwardportion 194 of the lock nut 120. The mounting holes 196 stop short ofextending through the radially outward portion 194 of the lock nut 120which forms a stop 262 that prevents the mounting set screws 186 frompassing through the lock nut 120 as the mounting set screws 186threadably engage the semi-circular threaded holes 190 of the lock nutadapter 158. As shown in FIG. 6, each mounting hole 196 receives one ofthe mounting set screws 186 which engage one of the axially extendingsemi-circular threaded holes 190 forming in the lock nut adapter 158.Rotation of the threadably engaged mounting set screws 186 in themounting hole 196 draws the inner ring 118 over the adapter sleeve 116to frictionally fix the adapter sleeve 116, and thus the bearingassembly 110, onto the shaft 112.

Three circumferentially spaced, axially extending threaded dismountingholes 204 are formed through the radially inward portion 192 of the locknut 120 and in the radially inwardly facing surface 198 of the radiallyoutward portion 194 of the lock nut 120. Each dismounting hole 204receives one of the mounting set screws 186 which threadably engages theinternal threads formed in the threaded dismounting hole 204. As shownin FIG. 7, the threaded dismounting holes 204 are formed through thelock nut 120 circumferentially spaced from the mounting holes 196, suchthat the set screws 186 abut an end 206 of the lock nut adapter 158.Rotation of the threadably engaged mounting set screws 186 in thedismounting holes 204 urges the inner ring 118 off of the adapter sleeve116 to disengage the adapter sleeve 116, and thus the bearing assembly110, from the shaft 112.

A radially extending threaded through hole 208 formed through the locknut 120 receives the lock nut locking set screw 188 that impinges on theadapter sleeve 116 to fix the lock nut 120 relative to the adaptersleeve 116. Advantageously, the locking set screw 188 locks the lock nut120 relative to the adapter sleeve 116 once the axially extendingmounting holes 196 are aligned with semi-circular threaded holes 190formed in the lock nut adapter 158.

In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 4-7, the bearing assembly 110 ismounted on the shaft 112 by compressing the adapter sleeve 116 to slipthe lock nut adapter 158 and lock nut 120 over the adapter sleeve 116and engage the adapter sleeve keyway 176 with the circumferential key142 of the lock nut 120. The adapter sleeve 116 and lock nut 120 arethen slipped axially onto the shaft 112. The inner ring 18, along withrollers 152 and an outer ring 164 are then slipped axially onto theshaft 112, such that the radially inwardly facing surface 126 of theinner ring 118 forming the tapered bore mates with the tapered surface140 of the radially outwardly facing surface 128 of the adapter sleeve116. The inner ring 118 is slipped axially along the adapter sleeve 16until the lock nut adapter 158 encircles the inner ring 118. The lockingset screw 104 threadably engaging the lock nut adapter threaded aperture102 is rotated to impinge against the inner ring 118 and axially fix thelock nut adapter 158 relative to the inner ring 118.

The lock nut 120 is then rotated to align each of the mounting holes 196with one of the semi-circular threaded holes 190 formed in the lock nutadapter 158. Once the mounting holes 196 and semi-circular threadedholes 190 are aligned, the radially extending lock nut locking set screw212 is rotated to fix the lock nut 120 relative to the adapter sleeve116. Each mounting set screw 186 is then inserted into one of themounting holes 196 and threadably engaged with the aligned semi-circularthreaded holes 190. Rotation of mounting set screws 186 draws the innerring 118 over the adapter sleeve 116 to lock the adapter sleeve 116, andthus the bearing assembly 110, onto the shaft 112. Advantageously, avisual indicator, such as described above, can be mounted onto the locknut 120 to determine when the mounting set screws 186 are sufficientlytight to lock the adapter sleeve 116, and thus the bearing assembly 110,onto the shaft 112.

The bearing assembly 110 is dismounted from the shaft 112 by disengagingthe mounting set screws 186 from the threaded semi-circular threadedholes 190 and removing the mounting set screws 186 from the mountingholes 196. Each mounting set screw 186 is then threadably engaged in oneof the threaded dismounting holes 204 until each mounting set screw 186engages the end 206 of the lock nut adapter 158. The mounting set screws186 are then rotated to urge the inner ring 118 off of the adaptersleeve 116. As the inner ring 118 is urged axially off of the adaptersleeve 116, the adapter sleeve 116 expands to release its grip on theshaft 112, to disengage the bearing assembly 110 from the shaft 112.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a wedge-type bearing assembly 310is mounted on a shaft 312 having a longitudinal axis 314. The bearingassembly 310 includes an adapter sleeve 316 frictionally engaging theshaft 312, an inner ring 318 compressing the adapter sleeve 316 againstthe shaft 312, and a lock nut assembly including a lock nut 320 axiallyfixed relative to the adapter sleeve 316 and threadably engaging theinner ring 318. Rotation of the lock nut 320 in a first direction ofrotation draws the inner ring 318 over the adapter sleeve 316 to mountthe bearing assembly 310 to the shaft 312. Rotation of the lock nut 320in a second opposite direction of rotation pushes the inner ring 318 offof the adapter sleeve 316 to dismount the bearing assembly 310 from theshaft 312.

The adapter sleeve 316 and inner ring 318 are substantially similar tothe adapter 16 and inner ring 18 disclosed in FIGS. 1-3. In addition, asin the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-3, the bearing assembly 310includes rollers 352 interposed between the inner ring 318 and an outerring 364, and a pair of positive locking keys 354 are interposed betweenthe inner ring 318 and adapter sleeve 316 to prevent the inner ring 318from rotating relative to the adapter sleeve 316 as the inner ring 318is urged axially over the adapter sleeve 316 by the lock nut 320. Inaddition, a pair of visual indicators 380 are mounted on the lock nut320 to indicate to the user when the sufficient amount of torque hasbeen applied to the lock nut 320 to avoid over tightening or undertightening the lock nut 320.

The cylindrical lock nut 320 of the lock nut assembly engages both theadapter sleeve 316 and inner ring 318 to move the inner ring 318relative to the adapter sleeve 316 in either axial direction. The locknut 320 includes a radially inwardly facing surface 366 and a radiallyoutwardly facing surface 368, both of which extend between first andsecond lock nut ends 370, 372. Internal threads 360 formed in theradially inwardly facing surface 366 proximal the lock nut first end 370threadably engage external threads 358 formed in a radially outwardlyfacing surface 344 of the inner ring 318. Rotating the lock nut 320relative to the inner ring 318 threadably engages the external threads358 formed in the inner ring 318 with the internal threads 360 formed inthe lock nut 320 to axially move the inner ring 318 relative to theadapter sleeve 316 in either axial direction.

A circumferential key 376 extending radially inwardly from the radiallyinwardly facing surface 366 proximal the second end 372 of the lock nut320 adjacent the internal threads 360 engages a circumferential key 342of the adapter sleeve 316 to axially fix the lock nut 320 relative tothe adapter sleeve 16 in one axial direction. A circumferential radiallyinwardly opening slot 356 formed in the radially inwardly facing surface366 receives a snap ring 362 that engages the circumferential key 342 ofthe adapter sleeve 316 to axially fix the lock nut 320 relative to theadapter sleeve 316 in an opposing axial direction. Locking thecircumferential key 342 of the adapter sleeve 316 between thecircumferential key 376 of the lock nut 320 and the snap ring 362 toaxially fix the lock nut 320 relative to the adapter sleeve 316simplifies assembly of the bearing assembly 310 on the shaft 312.Advantageously, the snap ring 362 and circumferential key 376 allow thelock nut 320 to rotate and threadably engage the external threads 358 ofthe inner ring 318 with the internal threads 360 of the lock nut 320.

In use, the bearing assembly 310 is mounted on the shaft 312 by slippingthe lock nut 320 onto the adapter sleeve 316 to engage the lock nut key376 with the circumferential key 342 of the adapter sleeve 316. The snapring 362 is then snapped into the circumferential slot 356 in the locknut 320 to axially fix the lock nut 320 relative to the adapter sleeve316. The adapter sleeve 316 and lock nut 320 are then slipped axiallyonto the shaft 312. The remaining components of the bearing assembly 310are assembled on the shaft 312 and the bearing assembly 310 isdismounted from the shaft 312, as described above for the bearingassembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3.

While there have been shown and described what is at present consideredthe preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be madetherein without departing from the scope of the invention defined by theappended claims.

1. A shaft mounting assembly comprising: a compressible adapter sleevefor wrapping around a shaft, said sleeve having a radially outwardlyfacing surface including a tapered surface; an inner ring encirclingsaid adapter sleeve and having a radially inwardly facing surfaceengaging said tapered surface of said adapter sleeve; a lock nutencircling said adapter sleeve and interconnecting said adapter sleeveand said inner ring; and a visual indicator indicating when said adaptersleeve is sufficiently tightened onto the shaft.
 2. The shaft mountingassembly as in claim 1, in which said compressible adaptor sleeve is asplit cylindrical adapter sleeve.
 3. The shaft mounting assembly as inclaim 1, in which said visual indicator is fixed to said lock nut. 4.The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 1, including a positive lockingkey interposed between said adapter sleeve and said inner ring androtatively locking said inner ring relative to said adapter sleeve. 5.The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 4, in which said positivelocking key is axially fixed to one of said adapter sleeve and saidinner ring, and said positive locking key is received in an axiallyextending slot formed in the other of said adapter sleeve and said innerring.
 6. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 4, in which saidpositive locking key is a Woodruff key received in a concave roundedslot formed in said one of said adapter sleeve and said inner ring. 7.The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 1, in which said lock nut isaxially fixed relative to said adapter sleeve and includes inner threadsthreadably engaging external threads formed in said radially outwardlyfacing surface of said inner ring to draw said inner ring over saidadapter sleeve.
 8. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 1, in whichsaid visual indicator is received in a cavity formed in said lock nut.9. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 1, in which said visualindicator includes a photoelastic sensitive material which whensubjected to strain changes color when viewed through a polarizing lens.10. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 9, including a polarizinglens bonded to an outer surface of said photoelastic sensitive material.11. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 1, including a lock nutadapter fixed to said inner ring and axially extending screws extendingthrough said lock nut engage said lock nut adapter to draw said innerring over said adapter sleeve.
 12. The shaft mounting assembly as inclaim 1, including a key interposed between said lock nut and saidadapter sleeve to axially fix said lock nut relative to said adaptersleeve.
 13. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 12, in which saidkey extends radially outwardly from said adapter sleeve and issandwiched between a snap ring received in a radially inwardly openingcircumferential slot formed in said lock nut and a key extendingradially inwardly from said lock nut to axially fix said lock nutrelative to said adapter sleeve.
 14. The shaft mounting assembly as inclaim 1, in which said positive locking key is formed as an integralpart of at least one of said adapter sleeve and said inner ring.
 15. Ashaft mounting assembly comprising: a split cylindrical adapter sleevefor wrapping around a shaft, said sleeve having a radially outwardlyfacing surface including a tapered surface; an inner ring encirclingsaid adapter sleeve and having a radially inwardly facing surfaceengaging said tapered surface of said adapter sleeve; and a positivelocking key interposed between said adapter sleeve and said inner ringand rotatively locking said inner ring relative to said adapter sleeve.16. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 15, in which said positivelocking key is axially fixed to one of said adapter sleeve and saidinner ring, and said positive locking key is received in an axiallyextending slot formed in the other of said adapter sleeve and said innerring.
 17. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 16, in which saidpositive locking key is a Woodruff key received in a concave roundedslot formed in said one of said adapter sleeve and said inner ring. 18.The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 15, including a lock nutassembly having a lock nut encircling said adapter sleeve andinterconnecting said adapter sleeve and said inner ring.
 19. The shaftmounting assembly as in claim 18, in which said lock nut is axiallyfixed relative to said adapter sleeve and includes inner threadsthreadably engaging external threads formed in said radially outwardlyfacing surface of said inner ring to draw said inner ring over saidadapter sleeve.
 20. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 18, in whichsaid lock nut assembly includes a lock nut adapter fixed to said innerring, and axially extending screws extending through said lock nutengage said lock nut adapter to draw said inner ring over said adaptersleeve.
 21. The shaft mounting assembly as in claim 18, including a keyinterposed between said lock nut and said adapter sleeve to axially fixsaid lock nut relative to said adapter sleeve.
 22. The shaft mountingassembly as in claim 21, in which said key extends radially outwardlyfrom said adapter sleeve and is sandwiched between a snap ring receivedin a radially inwardly opening circumferential slot formed in said locknut and a key extending radially inwardly from said lock nut to axiallyfix said lock nut relative to said adapter sleeve.
 23. The shaftmounting assembly as in claim 15, in which said positive locking key isformed as an integral part of at least one of said adapter sleeve andsaid inner ring.